AFL Press Release

McPherson, Turner and Jackson earn weekly honors

Tuesday April 2, 2013

Hills, Thomas also awarded for weekend’s highlights

CHICAGO – Tampa Bay Storm QB ADRIAN McPHERSON has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Jacksonville Sharks DL JERRY TURNER has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Orlando Predators WR AMARRI JACKSON has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 2 of the 2013 NET10 Wireless Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. Tampa Bay Storm WR JOE HILLS earned the Cutters Catch of the Week, while San Jose SaberCats DB CLEVAN THOMAS was awarded the AFL Highlight of the Week.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
McPherson (6-4, 225, Florida State) accounted for all ten of the Storm’s touchdowns in their 69-47 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 2. McPherson completed 25-of-38 passes for 362 yards and eight touchdowns, finishing the evening with a 136.2 quarterback rating. He also rushed three times for 31 yards and a pair of scores.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Turner (6-3, 265, Tennessee Tech) tallied 4.5 tackles to go along with three sacks in Jacksonville’s 61-35 win over the Pittsburgh Power in Week 2. On his second sack of the night, Turner forced a fumble that he recovered to allow the Sharks to take over at the Power’s one-yard line.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Jackson (6-5, 225, South Florida) began his 2013 campaign in midseason form, posting 12 receptions for 209 yards and five touchdowns in Orlando’s 65-62 loss to San Jose in Week 2. Three of his touchdowns came in the second half, and he was targeted an astounding 24 times overall. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Hills (6-4, 210, Tennessee State) snared a touchdown pass from Adrian McPherson as he approached the boards lining the right side of the end zone. As he secured the football, he flipped over the wall, bounced right up, and completed a partial victory lap in the stands. Hills will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Thomas (5-10, 195, Florida State) secured San Jose’s 65-62 victory over Orlando in Week 2 with an interception in the end zone. With 27 seconds remaining, the Predators commenced their final drive at their own 15-yard line, rapidly advancing to the SaberCats’ two-yard line with four seconds remaining. On third-and-goal, Thomas grabbed his third interception of the game to catapult San Jose into a first-place tie in the West Division.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the AFL MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona Rattlers QB NICK DAVILA, Jacksonville Sharks QB BERNARD MORRIS and Tampa Bay Storm QB ADRIAN McPHERSON. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 3. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 4.

About the AFL

Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased their fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and postseason through the semifinal round. The ArenaBowl XXVI Championship Game will air on the CBS Television Network on August 17, 2013.